Dahlia is a part of daily life for the Mexicans. It is an integral part of their life and finds uses as foodstuff, in their ceremonies and also in decoration. Dahlia derives its name after the 18th century botanist of Sweden, Anders Dahl. It belongs to the family of ‘Asteraceae’.

This perennial plant with tuberous roots has a large number of different species. Variety is seen in the height of the different species also, which varies from 12 inches to even 8 feet. The plant is like a bush with long stems. The flowers sprout sharp petals that bloom during summer and autumn. A unique feature of the flower is that it has eight sets of homologous chromosomes unlike other flowers which have only two sets. Dahlias are found in a host of colours like yellow, orange, white, varying shades of red and pink, lavender, purple and in other pastel hues. The plant grows abundantly all over Mexico and is declared its national flower.

Dahlias are popular garden plants and are also used as cut flowers. The larvae of some Lepidoptera species like Common Swift, Ghost Moth, Angle Shades and Large Yellow Underwing thrive on the plants as a source of food.